CHV2O – MR NYMAN Provincial and Federal Government

Executive Branch Federal Prime minister: head of the federal government; leader of the national party in power  Cabinet: selected by head of government to be responsible for departments  Public Service: people who conduct the daily business of government Provincial Premier: head of the provincial government; leader of the provincial party in power  Cabinet: selected by head of government to be responsible for ministries  Public Service: people who conduct the daily business of government

Executive Branch Prime Minister  Head of the national party that is in power  Voted in just like every other MP  Represents Canada internationally  Appoints judges and senators Cabinet  Head of departments (Natural Resources, Environment, …)  Appointed by the Prime Minister Premier  Head of the provincial party that is in power  Voted in like every other MPP  Works with other premiers and the federal government  Appoints judges and senators Cabinet  Head of ministries (Health, Labour, Education…)  Appointed by the premier Public Service  Face of the government, interacts with citizens directly

Legislative Branch Parliament House of Commons Provincial: Full of MPPs; Federal: Full of MPs Make the laws for federal/provincial government The party with the most number of ‘seats’ (elected members), is the ‘government’ The other parties form the ‘opposition’ You can watch parliament on the CPAC channel on TV: Senate ‘upper house of parliament’ Can propose or amend bills from the House of Commons Appointed by the Prime Minister They may serve until they are 75 The provincial government does not have a senate

Judicial Branch Supreme Court of Canada  Provincial Supreme Court  Court of Appeal Criminal Division Superior court (major crimes) Criminal court (ordinary crimes) Civil Division Civil court (private disputes) Small claims court (disputes below $3000) Family court (custody, divorce, etc.)

Political Parties Left-wing (liberal)CentreRight-wing (conservative) Support change in order to improve the welfare of all citizens Tradition is important, but change must be supported if most people want it Tradition is important; change should be treated with caution Governments should play a larger role in people’s lives, especially in providing social services Governments should play a role only in that it improves the lives of citizens Governments should play a small role. Private businesses should ensure needs of citizens are met. Law are order are important to protect the rights of all citizens fairly and equally Law and order are important to encourage and protect rights of individuals Emphasizes law and order to protect society and its traditions

Political Parties Conservative Party (centre/right-wing)  Currently hold a majority government (more than half the seats in parliament)  Leader: Stephen Harper  Has 161 seats New Democratic Party (left-wing)  Official opposition party  Leader: Tom Mulcair  99 seats Liberal Party (centre/left-wing)  Leader: Justin Trudeau  36 seats Bloc Qubecois  Only hold seats in Quebec  Leader: André Bellavance  4 seats Green Party  Leader: Elizabeth May  2 seats Other parties, ‘independents’  3 seats

Think Pair Share Why is it difficult for independent MPs to be elected? After a particularly horrendous killing, the majority of constituents in the member’s riding reveal in a poll that they want to return the death penalty for this kind of offence. The member agrees, but the party she belongs to is opposed to capital punishment. What does the member do? The member believes his party should take a much stronger stand on tobacco advertising and the availability of tobacco products. His constituency, however, receives millions of dollars from tobacco companies to sponsor sporting and cultural events in the riding. What should the member do? The political party the member belongs to has decided that access to abortion should be limited. Polls indicate strong support for the stand among constituents, but the member is strongly in favour of easy access. What should she do?